(C.W. McCall, Bill Fries, Chip Davis)[The sound of a lonely harmonica.]The dance hall is silent and emptyThe banjos don't play anymoreThe music is only a mem'ryAnd the dancing is dust on the floorWild flowers cover the ground nowThe timbers are streaking with grayThe palace is tumblin' down nowAnd the dancers have all gone away[Chorus]Once there was singingAnd once there was songAnd once there was silver and gold (silver and gold)The tombstones are weathered and brokenBut the last signs of life are still hereThe labors of love have been stolenBut the gold was the last souvenir[Chorus]Once there was laughterAnd once there was lifeAnd once there was silver and gold (silver and gold)The dance hall is silent and emptyThe banjos don't play anymore...[Fade out to the playing of "Oh, Susanna" on the banjo.]